The Reason For It All

FREE Webinar - Gastrointestinal Issues & Autism - Part 1

Sensorimotor, Perceptual & Cognitive Development in Children

Splash for Cash 2009!

TERI's Center for the Arts At Art Walk San Diego

Open Studio At Sophie's Gallery: Art Classes!

"Practical Advice for Optimizing Your Child's Health"

Heart of Sailing

Mom needs a new Doc

Respite Option with "Typical" Peers?

Pacing Guides/CA Curriculum

A night of music, fashion, and glamour!

Mental Health Fair in San Diego

You're Invited to COMPASS' Open House!

Autism and extraordinary ability

Should Teens With Autism Register for Selective Service?

Finding Missing Relatives

Scary Facts about Soy Seminar

The Vaccines-Autism War: Détente Needed

Autism Advocacy Groups Join Together for the Advancing Futures For Adults With Autism Initiative

Autism Speaks Announces Collaboration with the National Children's Study

This is my son, Tony Saraf. Tony was diagnosed at age 2 with Autism, and later with bipolar and ADHD. For the last 25 years, he has been my guiding light and the love of my life...and the biggest, toughest challenge I have ever had.

Helping Tony to be the best Tony he can be, is my goal. Where that goal will lead the two of us, is yet to be seen. Tony continues to improve and I know there is more to come. Currently, Tony lives at home with me and attends an adult day program at St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, in El Cajon.

Doing this newsletter and learning all that I can for you and for Tony, started out as a small project 10 years ago with 40 people and has turned into an elephant with over 1,500 readers. And just like Tony, there is no end in sight!

Thanks for joining me on this fascinating ride!
Valerie Dodd-Saraf

Empowering Through Information
and the Fostering of Connections

I never endorse anyone or anything. Opinions expressed in what I send out, may not be shared by me. Everything is for informational purposes only.

People who "advertise" through this newsletter have never been checked out by me. This includes professionals and even people who are interested in babysitting, etc.

Please take the time to thoroughly check out anyone and everyone that will be working with or caring for your child. We are all sadly aware, through news stories and word of mouth, of people who pray upon special needs children because of their extra vulnerability.

Thank you,
Valerie Dodd-Saraf
www.ValeriesList.com

Join us for a FREE Webinar on May 6, 2009

Sponsored by The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc.

The webinar, "Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism - Part #1" is being sponsored by Dr. William Shaw, Ph.D. and The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc. Dr. Kurt Woeller is the presenter, who practices the Defeat Autism Now Approach.

The webinar begins promptly at 6pm PST / 8pm CST and will last for about 1 1/2 hours. Please know that these webinars are one-time, live events and are not currently being recorded, nor will the presentation slides be provided.
More info here...

OPTOMETRIC & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PERSPECTIVES
A hands-on seminar/workshop presented by
Selwyn Super D.Optom., Ph.D & Rebekah S. Tolin, OTR/L
Saturday May 16th: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
& Sunday May 17th 8:30 am -12:30 pm

The Meeting Room:
2999 Overland Avenue, Suite 205,
West Los Angeles, CA 90064

WORKSHOP TOPICS
The Super/Tolin workshop describes the relevance of perceptual development in relation to a child's readiness for learning.

· Self-Regulation
· Emotional and mental development
· Motor skills
· Visual and Auditory skills
· Self Image and Awareness
· Language: reading, spelling, math and writing skills
· Intellectual Development
· Occupational Therapy (OT) and Visual Therapy (VT) Intervention

Registration fee for the two-day seminar and all handouts $225

For more info, contact rwilliams@oep.org or 949-250-8070

5/17/2009 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Clairemont Boys and Girls Club
4635 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117

Come on...get in the pool & swim! This is a one-of-a- kind FUNdraiser, and an easy way to help a great cause. Proceeds of Splash-for-Cash benefit the San Diego Autism Society's Pool PALS (People with Autism Learning to Swim) and Scuba Pals. This program, in partnership with Aqua Pros Swim School, includes free monthly Family pizza & pool parties, Summer Surf Camp, scholarships for individualizes and one-on-one swimming instructions for persons with autism. Besides all the fun & excitement there are goodies for every participant, "Swimmer in the Pool" prizes as well as a delicious breakfast & lunch prepared & served by San Diego Firefighters!
More info here...

TERI's Center for the Arts is pleased to announce participation in San Diego's Art Walk
Celebrating 25 Years
Little Italy in downtown San Diego
Saturday, April 25
Sunday, April 26
Noon- 6pm

The streets will be filled with fine art, music and dance performances, activities for children and families, and delicious food and beverages.

Don't miss this spectacular event.

TERI will be working on a Mural Project that can be found at Amici Park in the KidsWalk area.

We invite friends and family to collaborate on murals in an all-inclusive environment.

Sophie's Art Gallery
Open Studio Public Art Classes
Friday May 1st (5pm to 9pm)
Beaded Jewelry
Make a beautiful necklace using semiprecious gems. Participants will learn to design, string, and finish a necklace with clasps and findings. Take your finished project home or give as the perfect Mother's Day gift! Snack provided. $40 per person or RSVP by April 24th and receive a $10 discount / CALL: 619-593-2205.

Saturday May 2nd (10am to 3pm)
Designer Silk Scarves
Decorate a silk scarf by drawing designs and patterns directly on the scarf, and then dye your scarf to make a piece of wearable art. Take your finished project home or give as the perfect Mother¡¯s Day gift! Snack provided. $35 per person or RSVP by April 24th and receive a $10 discount / CALL: 619-593-2205.

Wednesday May 6 (5pm to 9pm)
Hand Printed Tee Shirts
Make a hand printed tee shirt using Softkut rubber stamps. We have stamps on hand or carve one of your own to print a designer tee shirt in this one-night class. Snack provided. $25 per person or RSVP by April 24th and receive a $10 discount / CALL: 619-5932205.

Wednesday May 13th, 20th and 27th (5pm to 9pm)
Designer Blue Jean Jackets
Make a fashion statement with a hand printed blue jean jacket that you design yourself in this class. Participants will learn to make their own rubber stamp and how to print with oil©\based ink. Enhance your jacket with patches, appliqu¨¦ and lace for a one-of-a-kind look! Bring your own jacket and save $10 or chose from our stock. Snack provided. $60 per person or RSVP by April 24th and receive a $10 discount / CALL: 619-593-2205

Sophie's Art Gallery
109 Rea Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
Located in Historic Downtown El Cajon
Sophie's Gallery & Gift Shop

ADHD & AUTISM SEMINAR
Saturday, June 6, 2009
9:30am-11:30am

"Practical Advice for Optimizing Your Child's Health"

Nicola McFadzean, ND
Defeat Autism Now! Doctor & Naturopathic Physician

Country Inn & Suites San Diego
5975 Lusk Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92121

ADHD and autistic-spectrum disorders are reaching epidemic proportions, yet awareness surrounding effective treatments is still limited. Dr McFadzean will show you how you can help your child reach his or her full potential. This seminar will give you the understanding of how genetics, biochemistry, immune system issues, and toxic loads are affecting our children and what you can do to help.

Seminar Registration Fee: $25
(Special thanks to Dr. McFadzean for donating her time)

Register online at:
www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/outreach.a sp Questions:
Contact Chasity Robinson or Bryan Olson at 913-341- 8949

We are coming back to California and starting the new season this year with Sail-a-thons in:

San Diego on the 25th of April
Dana Point on the 26th of April
Check our schedule and register by clicking on http://heartofsailing.org/sailwithus.asp

Please let other families, friends or relatives, know about us and invite them to come and sail with us. These events are open to the general public to raise more awareness about the Special Needs community and help us continue providing our services at a very low cost to you.

We will provide lunch and activities, in Dana Point and San Diego, as well as table spaces to vendors and organizations who would like to share with you information about their services. Please forward our information to any organization that would like to promote their services at our Sail-a-thons.
George Saidah
Founder/Executive Director
Heart of Sailing
(858) 205-5257

Mom looking for referrals on Pediatric Doctors at Rady's Children's Hospital with Autism knowledge and experience.

I am looking for a new Pediatric Doctor for my 5 yr old daughter with ASD. Preferably at Rady's Children's Hospital in Kearny Mesa. Any referrals would be appreciated.
Thank You!
olsjas@yahoo.com

My 8 yr old son has very mild autism (borderline aspergers since his issues are mostly social).

He's a client of the San Diego Regional Center and eligible for Respite Services. The program SDRC originally recommended for him was a great program... but he would be spending the respite time with autistic children only. While I encourage him to develop friendships with other autistic/aspergers kids, I'm hoping to find a respite program (or camp) that has a mix of kids - both autistic & typical. He's mainstreamed at a public school right now, and could really use more practice time with typical kids - ideally under the direction of a wise counselor.

I live in Carlsbad/Encinitas area, but can travel if needed.
Email me at: our_other_account@hotmail.com

Hi Val -
So often parents ask me what their child should know by a certain point in a trimester.

Last October, EUSD posted various "pacing" guidelines based upon the CA standards that may be of help. These pacing guidelines set forth the actual CA standard and when the child is expected to know it by.

http://www.eusd.net/about/instructional_program.asp

These can be helpful checklists at IEPs and for parents in general.
Lucile Lynch

Planning Committee Meeting for November Gala
April 30, 2009

On April 30th, ATPF will hold a VIP event for those of you who really want to commit to being a part of the ATPF committee involved in the planning of November's Gala. This cocktail event is a first chance to start planning and throwing around ideas, and we welcome everyone to come, but only if you are prepared to be involved in the planning of the November event for the rest of this year. We are looking for passionate and creative people who want to help ATPF make a difference through the upcoming Gala and beyond. For more information, please read the invitation, and if you are not sure if you qualify to attend this event, please call Dayna Hoff to talk about it with her directly at 619-980-8614. Please RSVP to Dayna Hoff at daynahoff@cox.net or 619-980-8614

Saturday, May 2nd
12:00 -4:00 pm
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center
4126 Executive Center Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
Free to the public - Free onsite parking

Gather information from a wide variety of Organizations/Service Providers including:
Aurora Behavioral Health * California Bipolar Foundation * Center for Autism Research, Evaluation and Service (CARES) * Club Xcite * Community Alliance for Healthy Minds (CAHM) * Depression and Bipolar Alliance (DBSA) * Hanbleceya Therapeutic Community * Impact Young Adults * Meeting Place Clubhouse * Mental Health America (MHA) * Mental Health Ministries * Mental Health Services (MHS,Inc) * National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) * Scripps Mercy Behavioral Health Services * Sharp Mesa Vista * Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOSL) *Sam's Cause * Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) * Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention * And Many More!

Attend Lectures on a Wide Variety of Topics
· New Developments in Bipolar Disorder
· Bipolar Disorder in Children
· Traumatic Brain Injury
· Faith and Mental Illness
· Mental Illness and Alcohol/Drug Addiction (comorbid disorder)
· Breaking Down Barriers to Treatment - In Spanish
· Depresion a la Salud Mental - En Espanol
· The Fundamentals of Social Security & Winning an Initial Claim (SSI/SSDI)
· Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

We've moved and would like to invite you to an Open House at our new offices in Mission Valley!

April 23, 2009, 6pm to 8pm
Come out and enjoy wine, appetizers and the chance to see our new location.

New address:
444 Camino del Rio South
Suite 106
San Diego, CA 92108

Please to RSVP to Sharna Langlais by April 20th, 2009
(619) 446-6926
sharna@compassfc.org

THAT genius is unusual goes without saying. But is it so unusual that it requires the brains of those that possess it to be unusual in others ways, too? A link between artistic genius on the one hand and schizophrenia and manic-depression on the other, is widely debated. However another link, between savant syndrome and autism, is well established. Read on...

Must teens with autism register for selective service? Parents may feel that their son with an autism spectrum diagnosis should be exempt from the American military, and from selective service registration. But it's not that easy. Read on...

Hi everyone,
I got my nails done today and was reading a People magazine and saw this article. It deeply touched me and I wanted to share.

Finding Missing Relatives
About 250,000 people in the U.S. live in group homes or state institutions with no family contact -- something Jaff Daly wants to change. After 46 years, the Larkspur, CA, filmmaker found his mentally disabled younger sister, Molly, whom his mother had institutionalized as a child.

Working with nonprofit ArcLink, Jeff and his wife, Cindy, created a relative-search database; that, along with the Dalys' networking efforts, has fostered more than 100 reunions. Such success pleases Jeff, who now regularly visits Molly, 54, in the Hillsboro, Ore., group home where she lives.
Visit the website here.

Wednesday - April 22, 2009
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Cost is $25
Location:: 3800 Oceanic Drive, Suite 118, Oceanside CA
(seats are limited and registration is required)

In addition to the GFCF diet, a soy free diet is recommended for autism and is surprisingly not healthy for most Americans.

Join us for an educational packed evening with Karmic Health and Dr. Cynthia Leeder.

Healthy snacks are provided and are always gluten, dairy and soy free

Learn
How soy is processed in the body
Why soy is a common allergen
Health concerns with soy
Hidden soy in common foods
Ways to eat soy and dairy free

Seminar Includes
Cooking soy free tips & resources
Shopping for soy free foods and substitutions
Soy free recipes to try for the family


Please visit www.karmic-health.com for more information or send us an email at sandijstar@karmic-health.com to put your name on the list.
To contact Karmic Health please call 760.685.3154

When Larry King used the word debate to describe his April 3 program on vaccines and autism, he might just as well have said war; the airways smoked as activist Jenny McCarthy, mother of a child diagnosed with autism who blames vaccines, and her partner, Jim Carrey, faced off with two distinguished pediatricians representing the American Academy of Pediatrics. McCarthy and Carrey and two colleagues from the autism advocacy group she founded, Generation Rescue, took the AAP to task for its unwillingness to give at all in the controversy over vaccine safety and, while holding up a vaccine ad in its journal, accused the group of shilling for vaccine manufacturers. Read on...

NEW YORK, N.Y. (April 16, 2009) - Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism (AFAA), an initiative led by a consortium of leading autism advocacy organizations, today announced the launch of a new web site, www.AFAA-us.org, that will provide updates on AFAA's ongoing efforts to improve housing, employment, recreational and social opportunities for adults with autism across the country. The site will be hosted by Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization. Read on...